Showers this evening, becoming a steady rain overnight. Low 39F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch..
Showers this evening, becoming a steady rain overnight. Low 39F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch.
Updated: February 22, 2026 @ 10:35 pm
THE DALLES — The Dalles wastewater treatment plant has been discharging fluid that exceeds the plant’s limit for E. coli since Aug. 1, due to incomplete disinfection.
Samples taken that morning “indicated an E coli exceedance,” according to a press release. Several more samples over the next 24 hours confirmed it.
E. coli levels were improving by Aug. 4, but not yet back in compliance with levels set by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) rules.
At first, The Dalles warned people not to touch the Columbia River from Mayer State Park to The Dalles Riverfront Park, to avoid risk of infection with the pathogen. On Aug. 3, samples from the Columbia between river miles 180 and 189.5 showed E. coli levels are “well below” what DEQ requires in the river itself. But warning signs at public access points remain, as a precaution.
The DEQ rules say that E. coli must average fewer than 126per 100 millileters of water over 90 days, in recreational waters. The maximum allowable level of E. coli at any given time is 406 per 100 mL. 100 mL is a little under a cup, less than a standard beverage container. Levels in the Columbia River averaged under four individual E. coli, and maxed out at 12 — far under the DEQ limit.
“The ultraviolet disinfection process has been ramped up to maximum capacity in an attempt to bring E. coli back within permitted limits,” read the released. “Wastewater treatment staff is working hard to restore the biological balance so that the plant can quickly return to normal operations.”
More frequent sampling of E. coli will be done, and samples taken from other locations on the River, will be done. Signs have been placed on the river.
For information about Washington public access, contact Klickitat County Emergency management at 509-773-4545.
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